Extended player ratings: Palace 1 Saints 1

Last updated : 03 February 2008 By Chris C

Starting line-up

Davis - 7: Commanded his area well, coming for crosses and making the necessary saves, including one excellent save to push the ball onto the crossbar. Had little chance with a powerful shot that once again went across him and in.

Thomas - 6: No right back, he lacked the quality to deliver balls into the box, but got stuck in with his usual gusto with some meaty challenges getting ball and man - not necessarily in that order - to the delight of the away fans.

Davies - 7: Not quite up to his high standards, but still a class above the other defenders on the pitch. Won his usual share of headers and provided a route out of defence. Showed some wonderful footwork on the edge of the box to earn Saints a dangerous free kick. How did we get him?

Powell - 7: Despite heading with a 50p piece all match, he was suprisingly impressive after his traditional injury layoff, dominating the Palace forwards until inevitably his positioning started to let him down. If he'd upgraded that 50p to a pound he could have won the game for Saints looking our biggest threat at set pieces.

Wright - 6: Deserves huge credit for playing competently out of position at left back with Vignal out. Yes, he offered nothing going forward but he did his job and kept the Palace right side quiet.

Hammill - 6: Usual mixed bag from Hammill who too often flatters to deceive. Still too easily muscled off the ball, he at least gave the crowd a lift when he surged forward. Put some dangerous balls into the box.

Euell - 3: After a promising debut for Saints, he has become a player woefully short of confidence and needs a spell on the sidelines. Wasteful in possession, suprisingly lightweight in the tackle, he had a poor afternoon's work. To his credit he persevered and put in some big challenges in the final ten minutes.

Safri - 5: Understandably tired after the long journey back from Ghana, he was short of his best taking time to get back into the swing of things in the Championship. Gradually got his passing game back and made some key interceptions, but the less said about his corners the better. Great to have him back.

Surman - 6: A frustrating afternoon from the talented youngster who flittered in and out of the game. As ever, when on song he provided much of Saints quality in attack including another assist with a peach of a pass for John to tap in.

John - 6: Looked like being one of his off days as he balloned over several promising half-chances. Had more than his fair share of work to do up front with little support from Wright-Phillips. Was in the right place at the right time to convert Surman's wonderful pass.

Wright-Phillips - 4: Another who may benefit from a spell on the subs bench, Bradley failed to spark and was largely anonymous until his substitution in the second half.

Substitutes

Saganowski - 7: Spent his first few minutes wandering around aimlessly and then sparked into life and how! His movement caused Palace all kinds of problems and bar some understandable rustiness would have got Saints an equaliser far earlier when he cleverly worked his way through the right channel. Very encouraging performance - the (Polish) king is dead, long live the king!

Idiakez - 6: Added much needed quality in attack with Saints struggling to retain possession. Would be a good alternative to Euell at present if he can last the full 90 minutes.

McGoldrick - 5: It said on my piece of paper that he came on, but I'm struggling to remember seeing him on the pitch. Let's play him up front rather than wasted out on the right wing.